Wicomico County Council seeks answers from Salisbury volunteers

The Wicomico County Council convened for a special legislation session to get answers regarding Salisbury Station no. 1 Thursday afternoon.

The ‘Corporation’ was represented by Cory Polidore, who outlined a plan in place for how Station no. 1 volunteers plan to separate from the Salisbury Fire Department.

Polidore said the corporation is independent from the city, and that they are not trying to create a new fire company, but to relocate the one established on Beaglin Park Drive.

The representative made it clear the corporation is not looking for financial aid, even to start up.

“To start up,  zero.  We're not requesting any money or any funds from the county.  We already receive zero funds from the city.  So there's no additional costs at this time.”

He went on to say the company has plans for purchasing equipment as long as the process continues to move forward.

They also have plans for a new department building, described as a ‘pole building,’ that will cost under $100,000.  The money for these plans will come from funds saved up over the course of time.

Fire Chief Rick Hoppes says nothing has changed for his department.  Hoppes says the decision for who controls what territory falls on the Wicomico County Fire Chiefs Association.

“Well initially it would be the Wicomico County Fire Chiefs Association, that would be their decision what to do.  And they'll have to make that decision.

As for the fire department, Hoppes says nothing has changed other than that Station 1 is now run 24-7 by paid and volunteer firefighters, and claims that quality of service has improved since February 22.

Following the session, Mayor Jake Day weighed in, adding the fate of Fire Station 1  may come down to a new Fire Service Agreement between Salisbury and Wicomico County.  The last one expired in 2010, and the mayor says the two sides are working closely to get a new one confirmed.

“Well there's no question who will provide fire services to the City residents.  That has never been in question, because the city fire department is the only entity that will ever provide fire services to the city residents.  The question is outside the city of Salisbury.”

The next meeting for the Fire Chiefs Association will be March 22.